Consequences Of A Criminal Conviction

Get Help Avoiding The Harsh Consequences Of A Criminal Conviction

If you face criminal charges in Texas, it is important you know the potential consequences. By hiring an experienced criminal law attorney, you can lessen those consequences to the greatest possible extent. At The Law Offices of James Angelino, I have a proven record of success handling criminal law matters for clients in Collin, Denton and Dallas counties and throughout surrounding areas.

Criminal Penalties In Texas

The Texas Penal Code provides punishments for the following type of offenses under Texas law.

Misdemeanor offenses:

  • Class C: Up to a $500 fine
  • Class B: Up to 180 days in the county jail, and up to a $2,000.00 fine
  • Class A: Up to one year in the county jail, and up to a $4,000.00 fine
  • While some people may not feel, misdemeanor offenses are serious – THEY ARE!

Why? Any criminal conviction may hinder your ability to find employment and/or affect your credit. For example – some apartment complexes may not rent to people with criminal convictions (even a misdemeanor), and we all know people who cannot get a job because a background check has revealed a prior offense. If this has happened to you, see our section on expunctions.

That being said, some misdemeanor offenses do not allow a person to nondisclose their record (or remove it from public view). An example would be drunk driving and assault family violence.

In addition to that, if an assault family violence charge carries with it an affirmative finding of family violence, there are much stiffer consequences. What that means is – even if a defendant accepts a deferred probation, they will always have an affirmative finding. Therefore, any future act of family violence will automatically be enhanced to a Third-Degree Felony. It will also prohibit the ability of a person to carry a firearm and possibly keep them out of the military.

Felony Offenses:

  • State Jail Felony: 180 days to two years in state jail, and up to $10,000.00 fine
  • Third-Degree Felony: Two years to 10 years in prison, and up to $10,000.00 fine
  • Second-Degree Felony: Two years to 20 years in prison, and up to $10,000.00 fine
  • First-Degree Felony: Five years to 99 years in prison, and up to $10,000.00 fine
  • Capital Felony: Life in prison without parole – or DEATH

The consequences of a felony conviction are quite severe. You will forever be labeled a convicted felon. As a convicted felon, it will be extremely hard to find a decent job, which will make the ability to provide for you and your family very difficult. You will not be able to own or possess a firearm, and you will no longer be able to vote.

Additionally, if you go to the penitentiary, any future action may be enhanced. In other words, the law provides stiffer punishment ranges for repeat offenders and habitual offenders. For example, if you have one pen trip and commit a Third-Degree Felony, that new offense can be enhanced to a Second-Degree Felony. If you have two prior pen trips, you are considered a habitual offender, which means you would face 25 years to life in the Texas Department of Corrections for a first, second, or third-degree felony. If you have a prior felony conviction in which you received probation and commit another felony, you are no longer eligible to receive probation from a jury.

Speak With An Experienced Defense Lawyer Today

For more information on the ramifications of a criminal conviction and to speak with a skilled defense lawyer who can protect your rights, contact my law office online or call me at 214-310-9196.